Great news for Rugby park life

Celebrations earlier in the summer for the grant from SITA Trust, now the SUEZ Communities Trust. NNL-160830-132414001

Published:13:45Tuesday 30 August 2016

Work to expand the play area at Millennium Green in Rugby has started thanks to a £50,000 grant from WREN, meaning the revamp of the Craven Road park has now secured more than £100,000 in funding.

Earlier this year, Benn’s Friends, working in partnership with the borough council and ward councillors, got a £10,000 grant from the Government’s Pocket Parks programme, paving the way for a multi-use games area.

A £45,000 grant from SUEZ Communities Trust led to new play area equipment being installed soon after, while raised beds for residents to grow fruit, herbs and vegetables were introduced with £1,500 from Warwickshire County Council’s councillor grants fund.

The WREN grant means the play area can be extended, with new equipment including swings and a climbing nest with slide.

The expansion also includes new seating, planting and landscaping, and a ‘superbin’ which stores litter-picking equipment for residents to use.

Cllr Maggie O’Rourke, chair of Benn’s Friends, said: “The refurbishment has been a real team effort, with the community working in partnership with the council to draw up the plans and secure more than £100,000 in funding.”

Following the refurbishment, the park will be known as Brian Whistance Millennium Green, in memory of the late ward councillor who played an instrumental role in the creation of the park at the turn of the century.